“You have to be kidding, First Sweetie Belle and now Apple Bloom?” Scootaloo grumbles as she walks down the road from Ponyville to Sweet Apple Acres. The sound of a gently flowing cool breeze flowing past her and through her orange coat.
“You’d think they'd want to go to our old clubhouse!” Scootaloo angrily calls out to the sky and open air. Her thoughts going back to her younger years as a kid, the memory feeling as if it was just yesterday while being a lifetime ago. Slowly her mind wanders to Sweetie Belle who out of the three has become so much like her sister since her twentieth birthday.
“When did those two go and become so grown up?” Scootaloo groans as she kicks a stone down the road before clenching her teeth and letting out a frustrated scream to the open air. “Why can't we just have fun like we used to?”
As if in response to her cries the wind picks up slightly as a strange tingling sensation flows through the mare. Drawn from her thoughts Scootaloo forces the memories away and looks around as the wind becomes more gale in nature, blowing up dust from the dirt path she had been trotting along. Shielding her eyes with her wing she is met with the landscape taking on a slightly red tinge as a thunderous crack sound rips out from above her.
“What in Equestria…?” Scootaloo starts but her question does in her throat as she looks up only to see a portion of the sky over her and Ponyville had become a swirling mix of red, black, orange and yellow as thunder streaks course through the clouds. Whatever is going on isn't normal, and whatever it is isn't good. Turning tail she begins to full force gallop towards sweet apple acres using her wings to help propel herself forward but soon she is hit as if with. Brick wall of wind that scoops her up and throws her into the air.
Struggling to right herself she extends her wings beginning to fight to get back to anywhere that could be safe but the more she fights the more she finds herself thrown around like a sack of potatoes. Nearing the thunder her heart begins to pound and race as she struggles and struggles but all in vein as she hears the roaring winds and swirling energy with static in the air.
Tears well up in her eyes as she looks over to where Cloudsdale floats in the air, opening her mouth she cries out. “Rainbow Da-” but before she can finish she is gone and in the following hours the strange anomaly dissipates as Royal guards and the founder bolts work together to assess what had happened. None knowing a young mare had gone missing.
***
The slow pitter patter of rain falling on to the wild untamed lands fills the air as in a small slope lies the unconscious form of an orange coat mare with a purple mane, her eyes closed and her breathing slow and steady. However as time ticks by the sound of speech breaks through the water and wind of the storm. From over the hill Scootaloo lies on two beings come over, their forms cloaked in dark colored cloth and plastic rain protectors while masks of dark green plastic cover their faces. The gas masks cover all but their eyes for their heads, on the rest of their bodies are clothes with equipment tied to straps or hooks. Bags and pouches rest on their hips, backs, and legs.
Slowly as they draw near one of them, the shorter and younger one catches eye of the mare and freezes in place bringing a weapon to the ready. A few tense moments pass but upon seeing no movement from the mysterious thing they lower their weathered pump action shotgun. “Fox.” They call out in a youthful voice getting the attention of the tallest of the trio. He had been focused on scanning the surrounding hills and trees for anything, trusting the front liner who just called for him to handle alerting them of any incoming danger.
So when there came a call but not of alarm he came in with curiosity. “This best be good.” Fox says as he gets to the younger man. All the while he keeps a keen glancing eye over to their right, where the tree line loomed. However when he follows the young man's gaze he is greeted with the sight of a being he has never seen before.
“What the heck is this? It looks like a mutant but…” The young man trails off as Fox rubs his chin in thought.
“You haven't seen anything like it? Neither have I.” Fox says as he approaches the unconscious form of Scootaloo and places his sniper rifle on the ground only to pull out a silenced pistol. Flicking the safety he keeps it ready to fire, squatting down he begins to examine the strange being.
“What the hell is taking so long?” An almost drunk sounding man yells as he comes over to them with his assault rifle in hand leaning against his shoulder so it points upward to the dreary sky.
“I found something odd. A mutant but nothing like the usual.” The young man says as he holds a hand out to Fox who has begun examining the wings of the being.
“Ay, you really stopped us to look at some beast? Just cap it and tie it to your back. We can butcher it later.” The drunk man says as he rubs his head irritated at the hold up. “I have some booze waiting for me back in the village.”
“You think it's normal procedure for something like this? When was the last time you saw a horse in the Zone?” Fox snaps slightly getting a jump from both of the two standing individuals.
“I mean, I don't fuckin know but can't be that special. Maybe it walked in and got screwed with my the rads.”
“It took a ton of planning and improvising with the intent to get in here when I arrived, Rat, do you think a horse could accidentally get in?” The young man gets no response from said Rat individual who groans and shakes his head as he turns to keep watch.
As Fox examines the creature he brings the pistol barrel to her head, ready to put the perceived beast down. However as he aims at the mare she groans slightly as she opens her eyes faintly speaking. “R…Rain… bow… Dash..?” But as she says her friend's name she passes out again. Looking up, Fox is met by the turned heads of Rat and the younger man. Looking at each other for a couple minutes the only thing that can be heard is the rain and wind once more.
“That thing just spoke.” Rat exclaims in shock getting a nod from Fox.
“Thanks for stating the obvious.”
“What do we do?”
“We take it back to Sidorovich and sell her Sparrow.” Rat says with glee as he lets out a chuckle. “Think about the Rubles we will get. Screw the wish granter, it is our jackpot.”
“Like hell it is, Sid would likely just pay rock bottom and you know it.” Sparrow says, stepping towards Rat who matches him as they glare at each other.
“Enough!” Fox barks, breaking their tension and forcing them to look at him with just the word alone. “Sparrow, you are running the lightest, grab it and carry them. We are going to be going back to the village to have Sidorovich look at it. He's a bastard but he can tell us what to do with it.”
“Huh, it's not often I see you not know procedure out here.” Rat says with a snicker.
“Cram it, this is procedure.” Fox says as he holsters his pistol and grabs his Sniper Rifle. Thankfully they weren't far from their village, with a half an hour walk they arrive back home. Upon arrival though they get looks and hushed words as Stalkers like them all marvel at what they have brought back.
Making their way through the village they get to a hatch leading down into the earth. Going down the steps, around two corners to the left they are met with a large, metal, rotating handle bunker door. Grabbing the handle, Sparrow opens the heavy metal door that swings wide open. The sound of grinding metal from the hinges getting the attention of the man inside. Warm, moist, stale air wafts out with the smell of a roasted chicken mixed with sweat while a hint of mildew follows close behind. Walking in Sparrow places Scootaloo on a table to the left of the door where stalkers unload stuff they wish to sell. As the man behind the cage watches them the usual greeting he gives Stalkers dies in his throat.
“What the hell is this? It looks like a mutant but you knuckleheads can't butcher it yourselves?” He grumbles as he stands up from his chair to look at the creature they brought in, as he does the three stalkers take off their masks. Fox being first and with a stern even look fixes his greying black hair and rubs his chin that is covered in wet stubble.
“The creature isn't like a normal mutant.”
“Yes I can see as much, horse or not I don't take whole beasts… is it breathing?” He asks as he looks closer with narrowed eyes only to look back at the trio. Rat has blond hair and a more rough and dingy look while Sparrow has brown hair and seems as if he has just left college. “I also expect you to butcher it yourselves.”
“It isn't just that it's a horse, these wings don't have any signs of being growths due to mutation from Radiation. It also… spoke.” Fox says, knowing he might be called crazy. Wouldn’t have been the first time for him. Sidorovich scrutinizes him deciding how to handle this as a seasoned Stalker just told him an animal spoke. However before he can decide Scootaloo kicks her hooves letting out a hushed whisper.
“Sweetie…” upon hearing this Sidorovich looks the horse up and down, a nagging sense of deja vu washing over him as he rubs the back of his head.
“Ah, I have a feeling I'll regret this if I pass it up. Fine, I'll buy it and pay a finder's fee.” The man grumbles as he starts to count out some cash and after determining an amount he is satisfied with, placed it on the counter. “Twelve thousand take it or leave it. It's a bit more than what I'd pay for a butchered Beasty.”
“That works.” Fox says as Rat is about to protest forcing them to go silent in annoyance. Taking the cash he nods to Sidorovich who waves to them.
“Happy doing business, good hunting Stalkers.” He calls out as the door closes and the three depart leaving the merchant with Scootaloo. Coming out from the cage he locks the door to the shop. Looking at the horse up close he runs a hand over Scootaloo’s cutie mark. Looking at her wings and true to Fox’s claim the wings look natural, not bulbous or malformed. Nor is her fur matted or unkempt, he can tell this thing is very new to the zone. Giving her a one last look over he makes a mental note that the coloration in her fur also seemingly is natural for her and that this being thanks to the voice and her personal area is in fact female.
“Why do the weird ones always end up in my lap unconscious?” He says as he takes the horse and carries her behind the cage, making sure to unlock the shop door as he enters the back cage and seals the two behind it.
This room being the first place Scootaloo will ever see, of the Zone.
Author's Note
Hey everyone, been a bit. Sorry I have been MIA. My writing kinda hit a road block. I recently had my pc need repairs so while it was away I decided to fill that time with writing. I hope you all like it and feel free to give me feedback.
Awakening, Scootaloo is immediately hit by the oder in the room. Mildew with a pungent sweat smell followed quickly by the faintest hint of some kind of unknown scent to her. The scent cacophony makes her want to hurl. Steeling herself; she looks around but finds herself in a concrete and metal building with an open metal door in front of her. She is laying on old nasty cloth formed into a kind of bed for her. Everything around her is either grimy, rusted, or both. Getting up she hears and feels objects fall from on-top of her, as they clink to the ground she sees they are needle like objects.
As she turns back to look at the doorway she sees a being slowly walking towards her, said being is burly and covered in some dirt over his clothes. “Ay, you're awake.” He says as he reaches to a shelf grabbing a bottle of clear liquid. When he gets close he twists off the cap of the bottle and holds the top out to her as if to offer her a drink.
“Wh… what is that?”
“Vodka. You're irradiated.” He says with a thick accent that is hard to understand for Scootaloo but without understanding what Vodka is or what irradiated means she drinks. Instantly she sputters and coughs as the liquid burns and stings down her throat.
“What, what? Can't handle that little bite? You best get better at handling your booze cuz you're going to need this to not die out there.”
Still reeling, Scootaloo rubs her muzzle and looks at the strange being who looks back. Taking a swing himself he pops the cap back on the vodka and shakes his head. “Die? What do you mean?”
“You were brought in by some Stalkers half a day ago. I've been mending some of the broken bones you had little Birdie but those medical supplies couldn't get rid of the radiation you absorbed. Vodka can though.”
Processing this Scootaloo thinks for a while before jolting upright. “Oh no, my friends are likely worried sick.” Scootaloo says as she gets up but before she can leave the man puts a hand on her chest.
“Hold it little Birdie, I don't know who your friends are but you owe me a good bit for fixing you up.”
“Oh, uh, sure. I can pay you back. I left my bits at home but I can get yo-”
“Sorry, ain't the first time I have been told that one. Nor is it the last. Tell you what, tell me where you came from and some other details and we will go from there.” The man says and he walks off across the room he was in to what looked like a metal chain wall. He grabs the chair there and comes back to sit down but as he does he presses a few buttons on a device he pulls out of his pocket and places it between them.
“So who are you little Birdie?”
“My… my name is Scootaloo.” she responds as she settles to sit on the ground.
“Alright, Scootaloo. My name is Sidorovich.”
“Si… Sidori… Sidorivich?” Sidorovich groans and pinches the bridge of his nose and sighs.
“Orovich. Anyways, where did you come from?”
“I came from Ponyville.” Scootaloo says with a hint of amusement because who hasn't heard of Ponyville at this point. The saviours of the world live there and are world renowned. However the snicker that comes from Sidorovich causes her to falter.
“You're pulling my leg, Ponyville? What's next to that place, gingerbread lane?” Puffing out her cheeks she looks away from Sidorovich.
“Fine, don't believe me.”
“Well I can say for certain, there isn't anywhere with that name in Russia… so either you're from another nation that could have poor naming skills… or you're not from here in a major way.” turning her head back, Scootaloo tilts her head slightly at this strange being.
“What? But you said I've only been out for half a day. I was at Ponyville yesterday, I was going to sweet apple acres then… a strange storm came out of nowhere.” Leaning forward Sidorovich looks at scootaloo with intrigue.
“A storm?”
“Ya, it was red, orange and black… it had some strange energy to it and it came out of nowhere.”
“An Emission… So you got sucked up by an Emission and found yourself here? What nation do you come from?” Sidorovich asks as he grabs his device and taps buttons on it hastily.
“i… it's called Equestria.” Looking at Scootaloo he pauses for a second almost questioning what he heard. After a moment of silence he looks back at the device as he places it back down slowly.
“It seems, you may be from an entirely different world or something. There is no nation on this planet called Equestria little Birdie.”
“that.. that can't be right…” Scootaloo says in a shaky voice. It isn't till Sidorovich snaps his fingers in front of her face that she snaps out of it. “I can't get home?”
“Not in the traditional sense. There is a way home for you Birdie… well, possibly but before I give you any information like that, you have a debt you owe me.”
“Please mister Sidorovich, I need to get home, please tell me.” Scootaloo begs him as she flings herself to him. Grabbing onto his greasy and dirty clothes with dear life, though her nose is assaulted by the stench of the man. Grumbling, he presses a hand onto her head and shoves her off.
“Everyone here doesn't get handouts. Repay your debt to me for fixing you up, then for the gear I'll be giving you to start with. After that we can talk about cost for information. Just know this information will cost you a good bit because only I have it.”
“But-”
“No buts. It's either that or you can still fetch a decent price. Everything in the zone has a price and that includes you.” Having the weight of those words sink in on Scootaloo she slumps down. Slinking back she recedes to the cloth bed she woke up upon as Sidorovich gets up to walk over to a cabinet. Slowly he pulls out clothes and a mask along with a few other objects before he closes the cabinet. Making his way over to a metal cabinet he opens it and pulls out more things. Scootaloo can't recognize any of these objects but once he closes this metal cabinet he comes over to her with the pile.
Placing them on the chair he kneels down, The first object he takes is the mask. Though it's odd she can tell it's been modified and reshaped to fit her face. “This is a gas mask. It helps to keep most chemicals out of the air you breathe. It also helps keep radiation out of you.”
“Radiation?”
“Layman's terms, It's an invisible killer, there are areas out there in the world that can and will kill you for being there and you won’t know it’s happening. If you want a better explanation go ask the science freaks in Yantar. They will talk your ear off about it.” He says with a wave of his hand. Scootaloo smirks slightly mentally thinking that The scientists sound a lot like Twilight. “Anyways, the cloth is standard issue Rookie Stalker stuff. You want better, then get the cash for it. I'm giving you two syringes in your medical kit. Stab and press the bulb, make sure you do so with an injured limb. Wasting this will just make you dopey. That is after you're done bleeding everywhere, because you are going to bleed… a lot.”
“B… bleed? Why, what? Is it really that dangerous?” Scootaloo says panic coursing through her veins. She begins sinking deeper into panic but a crack sound rips through the room as Sidorovich slaps her hard. The shock and pain snapping her out of her freefall while her head rests to the side from where it once was.
“I don't care if you have a dislike or even hate for blood. You will be losing and making others lose it. You aren't at home anymore little Birdie. You're in the Zone. So unless you want to end up dead come tonight then you best get ready to see lots of gore.” Sidorovich coldly tells her, causing her to recoil while her ears turn downwards. With no further protest from her he places the mask down grabbing a device with a screen and light.
“This here is your saving grace. Keep this or a better one on you constantly. It tells you if you walked yourself into radiation or are near some forms of anomaly. Well, that is if the anomaly shits out radiation.”
“So it's not a guarantee?”
“No, but It's still going to save your ass. Do you want it or not?” Sidorovich asks coldly as he looks at Scootaloo who nods silently. “What's the saying, don't look a gift horse in the mouth?” He says with a wry grin getting a look of annoyance from Scootaloo.
“I'm not a horse, I'm a pony.”
“Horse, pony, same thing. Look, survive a week and I might give a damn. Next the general anomaly detector, this will detect the rest of the anomalys that are common and might turn you from alive to a corpse. The more hidden and rare ones need a better detector but I'm not giving a rookie that.” He explains as he lifts a rusty metal device and shows it to her.
“So there are still some dangers that thing can't detect?”
“Oh there are many. However they don't show up often, even when they do they for the most part give off radiation or are very obvious. Only on super rare occasions do stalkers get minced due to the super special anomalies. That being said though, if I hear you died in a fire chimney I'm going to taxidermy your remains and have you as a decoration piece of what not to do as a stalker.”
“Fire chimney?” Scootaloo gulps, feeling her mind race with all this information. This whole situation feels like a strange form of classroom time with Cheerilee but instead of the kind mare a nasty mean old man.
“It's a common anomaly that is like a geyser but instead of water the thing spews out fire. Fire that cooks you faster than you can say ouch.” Placing the detector down he grabs the next object as he gives it a once over. Pulling the top slider back and letting go as it snaps back to where it was. “Now this here is going to become your best friend till you get better versions of it or other kinds of it. This here is a gun, don't know if your… Equestria has these but they are weapons. Only ever point them at things you want to die.”
“I… I don't thi-”
“I don't care if you don't think you can or anything little Birdie. It's either you do or you die. Got it?” Wilting slightly, Scootaloo rubs her foreleg and nods.
“G-got it.”
“Good, this is called a Makarov, it's also known as a pistol. It holds eight rounds or also known as bullets. These bullets shoot metal out the gun at high speed and the metal gets shoved into anything it is fired at. I normally would start stalkers off with another gun but seeing as you don't have any fingers in order to wield the gun I put that cost to something else.” He places the pistol down and grabs a small lavender teardrop object with a water ripple like surface that has been frozen in time.
“What is that?” Scootaloo asks as she watches the object, its shape mesmerizing her.
“This is a telekinesis artifact. A lesser quality one that's low on charge. I figured since you don't have hands or fingers you need a way to hold and use gear. To solve that issue I am graciously giving you this but it's going on your tab, don't make me regret this.”
“So this lets me do stuff like Unicorns? I can float stuff around and throw things?” Scootaloo happily says as if she is a foal once more, looking at the object with wide eyes.
“Unicorns?” He says in confusion but lets out a long exhausted sigh. “Know what, I'm not going to bother. Yes you can float stuff around but more importantly it lets you pull the trigger to this gun and use medkits without fumbling with your hooves or god forbid your mouth.”
“Hey I'm good at using my mouth.” Scootaloo grumbles, getting a cackling laugh from the man.
“Little Birdie, you really need to be conscious about what you say.” Scootaloo mentally thinks about what he means but before she can figure it out he places the object back down. His thick fingers wrap around a box of the bullets for the Makarov. “You have a full magazine, meaning eight bullets are in the gun and you have four backup ones. Don't waste them because they could mean the difference between life and death.”
“Okay, anything else I need to know?”
“Just that you have one pill, it gets rid of radiation better than Vodka but costs more. Then there is another set of pills here. One fixes up your limbs while the other fixes up your body and head. Use them in emergencies because they cause a crash after an hour or so. Meaning you will fall asleep hard. Oh and this.” He says as he gets up with some difficulty just to go over to a cabinet to bring out a bottle and two cans.
“These cans have meat loaf in them and this bottle holds water.”
“Meat? Like… meat from a creature?”
“Oh come on, don't tell me you are one of those prissy vegetarian freaks?” His words bite into Scootaloo like a dagger as she hesitantly nods. “Little Birdie, your going to need to get used to eating meat because it's the most prevalent source of nourishment here. Beasts in the Zone won't hesitate to eat you so don't second guess doing the same.”
“But…”
“What did I say, no buts. This is survival. Just ignore where it came from and focus on the greater good for yourself.” A few seconds pass before she dejectedly nods. “Good, now the last item for you, your clothes. Now it's not much but it will protect you, it's the standard fabric cloth with some leather padding to protect from any Beasties trying to chew you up.” Sidorovich laughs as he places the cans and bottle on top of the pile of gear but Scootaloo can just watch him in shock.
“You keep making jokes about death and harm… why?” Upon asking this Sidorovich stops and takes a few moments to think about a response.
“I've seen so many faces come and go from here, Birdie. I know what happened to many of them, many more have been lost to the zone mysteriously. There are the rare few I've watched that have been changed by the zone. That's not excluding myself, so I get a bit of brightness by cracking jokes. If you don't like them then keep that to yourself because I'll keep making them.”
Silently Scootaloo takes what the man said to heart and sits there as he gives a final look over her gear.
“Alright Birdie, you are ready to possibly survive. Suit up and come over to me so I can give you your first job, it'll help you get familiar with your artifact and your PDA.”
Author's Note
Sorry it took a bit longer to get this one out to you all. I hope you all enjoy and I'll be more on time this time as my pc had a few hiccups that needed to be ironed out but it's fully good now.
<3
